The festive season is a wonderful time for the whole family, including your dog. But alongside the joy and decorations, it’s important for pet-parents to remember that some holiday foods and situations can present risks for our four-legged companions. With a bit of planning and awareness, you can make sure your dog shares in the fun of Christmas safely and healthily.
Safe Foods For Dogs At Christmas
Your dog can certainly join in the Christmas atmosphere, just make sure the choices are safe and appropriate. Lean meats such as turkey or chicken, cooked plainly (no added salt, seasoning or gravy) are ideal options for sharing a small portion. Plain vegetables, such as carrots, peas, broccoli, and even brussels sprouts, are also suitable. A small serving of plain rice or potato is fine, provided it’s unseasoned and given in modest amounts.
Dogs can also eat raw bones - as these offer helpful nutrients and dental benefits - but cooked bones are not safe as they can easily splinter into sharp pieces which present a choking and cutting hazard. We recommend always monitoring your dog to prevent them swallowing large pieces or choking. Also, it’s important to tailor the size of the bone to match the size of the breed for safety reasons.
When choosing a food for your dog, remember to check our ingredients page for extra clarity and transparency. At Calibra, we pride ourselves on using high-quality, limited natural ingredients to support those with sensitivities.
Foods To Avoid
Christmas dinners come with plenty of tempting extras, but several seasonal favourites are dangerous for dogs. Foods that contain cocoa are high on the list of foods to avoid as they contain compounds that dogs cannot metabolise properly, and even small amounts can lead to serious health issues. Equally, onions, garlic, and leeks (which often appear in festive stuffing or gravy) are harmful to dogs’ red blood cells, and must be kept out of reach.
Grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts can trigger kidney or neurological problems in dogs. With all these risks, it’s far better to keep your dog well away from leftovers and instead offer dog-safe alternatives. If you’re unsure whether a food is safe, stick to the plain and simple rule: unseasoned lean meat, plain veggies, or a trusted dog food rather than giving in to the “just a little bit” temptation.
Christmas Dog Treats
Just because you’re cautious doesn’t mean your dog can’t enjoy the festive fun. On the contrary, you can make Christmas extra fun for your dog by planning ahead for tasty, dog-appropriate treats. For example, you can treat your dog to our dog advent calendar as a fun way to count down to Christmas with a little surprise each day. This gives your pet a safe and festive experience without resorting to human food.
For dogs that may have sensitive stomachs or need extra care, you can also review our guide on what is the best food for dogs with sensitive stomachs and choose a treat or meal that aligns with their digestive needs.
Tips To Keep Your Dog Safe At Christmas
Here are some helpful guidelines for pet-parents to ensure their dogs stay comfortable, safe, and happy during the festive period.
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Make sure your dog receives the correct amount of their regular food each day, and avoid large quantities of extra treats.
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Keep decorations, ribbons, candles, and gifts out of reach as dogs may chew, swallow, or knock them over and cause accidents.
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Leftover food on tables may be within reach. Supervise your dog and try to discourage scavenging or begging behaviours.
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Try to maintain as much of your normal feeding, walking, and sleeping routine as possible, dogs appreciate consistency even during the festive weeks.
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When giving treats, use ones that are designed for dogs (like those in our dog food and treats collection), and avoid leftovers from the party tray.
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If you notice any unusual behaviour, vomiting, excessive drooling, lack of appetite, or unusual lethargy, always refer to a veterinarian rather than making a self-diagnosis.
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If your dog is on a veterinary diet, keep meals strictly to that diet and consult your veterinarian before adding any extras.
Feeding Calibra Dog Food At Christmas
When you use Calibra’s dog food and treats, you’re selecting a brand that emphasises high-quality, natural ingredients and formulations tailored to health and wellbeing. For example, we offer a full range of dry dog food that supports your dog at every life stage, from puppy through to adult and senior, and across common health concerns.
By using a trusted base diet and supplementing with festive dog-friendly treats, which you can find in our festive advent calendar, you can allow your dog to be included in the holiday fun without compromising their wellbeing.
Final Thoughts
Christmas can be a joyful time for you and your dog, provided you make a few thoughtful choices. Prioritise safe dog-friendly foods, avoid hazardous human dishes, and pick thoughtful and healthy dog treats. Keep routines consistent, monitor your dog carefully, and choose high-quality dog nutrition to support their wellbeing during the holidays.
With these steps, you can create safe celebrations. At Calibra, we’re here to support you, for more information or to answer any queries, please get in touch with our friendly team.
